Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Revision Report: Filling Holes

Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Exercise--Yes, That Kind
Monday, August 23, 2010
Back To School Day. YAY!!!

Friday, August 20, 2010
SCBWI LA Tidbits (Part Two) + Giveaway!!!
EB Lewis (illustrator of Coming On Home Soon): We need to fill ourselves to overflowing and then give it all back. I loved this, because it reminded me that we all need to take creative breaks--I've done that this summer. Lots of games, cupcake parties, matinee movies...
Rachel Vail (Lucky, Gorgeous, and Brilliant): Rachel talked about how she collects characters in the notebook she carries with her all the time. “Spying is the key to being a writer,” she said. She also said that it’s important to think about the things your character’s notice. What is your character’s perspective on the world? She also asks her characters a lot of questions before she begins the writing process. (See her website: www.rachelvail.com)
Later during her keynote, she talked about how middle-grade readers are at that moment in which they realize: my family is weird. “Life and death moments are a dime a dozen in 7th grade,” she said. We should all remember that intensity of changing so dramatically in front of the entire world.
Gail Carson Levine (Ella Enchanted): She told us to be patient with our ideas. “Plot arrives out of situation and character,” she said. And if a character is going to change the reader needs to understand why. “The reader will join you in adding complexity to your character if you show the way."
Later I attended Gail Carson Levine’s session about Infrequently Asked Questions. She had a lot of great things to say about writing from a male point-of-view, naming characters, setting, and revision. Many of her wonderful writing tips can be found on her blog: www.gailcarsonlevine.blogspot.com.
Gennifer Choldenko (Al Capone Does My Shirts): She talked about how kids may seem more sophisticated on the outside, but inside they’re the same as always. She always tries to get to the emotional core of her story. She told us not to be angry if our risks don’t pay off. “Learn and move on,” she advised.
I also loved how she talked about taking care of our writer self. After a weekend of sometimes conflicting writing advice, it was nice to hear that you have to see what works for you. “You have to feel yourself through the novel, not think your way through it. It has to come from your gut,” she said. “Don’t take yourself too seriously!” She also told us that kids deserve the best books that we can write. And it’s up to us to teach ourselves how to write.
Paul Fleischman (Whirligig): He talked about various organizational techniques that he uses when writing, like keeping lists of names and scenes. I loved it when he advised us to “weigh each word like it’s on a gang plank.” I'm doing that as I revise my current WIP.
The conference ended with an amazing presentation by illustrator Ashley Bryan. We recited poetry together (Langston Hughes!!!!) and it left me feeling grateful for a wonderful conference week--and inspired to make my writing the best it can be. I left LA, ready to go home, but first I stopped at Sprinkles so I could host an impromptu cupcake party when I returned to Utah. It's one of my favorite post-conference traditions! I've learned to get there right when they open so I don't have to wait in line. Mmm. Fresh, still sorta warm, cupcakes... I wish I could give you all Sprinkles cupcakes. Instead I asked Gail Carson Levine to sign a copy of Ella Enchanted for you!
To win the book, please a comment along with your contact information. Contest ends at midnight, Friday, August, 27, 2010. Open to anyone in the world!
Contest Winner!
Friday, August 13, 2010
SCBWI LA Tidbits + Giveaway!!!

MT Anderson (Feed, Octavian Nothing): In his keynote, MT Anderson told us to embrace our eccentricities. I loved that!
Later I attended his breakout session about experimental fiction. He showed us all the techniques used in One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss (oh, can he read a bedtime story!). He warned that experimental techniques—like footnotes in fiction—can be trying for readers in long novels, but used every now and then can be really effective. I'm excited to add some more adventurous touches to my own writing.
Jennifer Hunt (Editor, Little Brown): Jennifer said: Be smart about what kids like. Read the best books in your genre, but also study media outside of books—like TV shows (and she mentioned my favorite: Friday Night Lights--yes!). She also talked about developing a personal work philosophy that will help you strive toward excellence, telling the audience to, “Challenge yourself to develop your full potential.”
Gordon Korman (Pop, 39 Clues): He told us to find out what’s cool about a subject—picture a bored 11 year old asking, “Do I care about this?” He also advised us to try a lot of different stuff. I love that advice, because if I hadn't tried writing lots of different things I'd still be writing bad picture books.
Carolyn Mackler (The Earth, My Butt, & Other Big Round Things): She talked about how thorough research—interviewing teens, writing exercises, finding unique details—helps her create characters unlike any others. We did a fun writing exercise about what our character has hidden in his or her underwear drawer. Try it--you might be surprised!
Later Carolyn gave a wonderful keynote address, talking about how reading and writing helped her keep her sense of self in tact during tough school years. She described her journey as a writer, how some books came easy, others not so much, but “words will always ebb and flow." Regarding banned books, she told us that the worry is that some books will never be written, never read. I felt really inspired to write after listening to Carolyn!
And later I got a book signed by Carolyn Mackler--so I could give it to one of you!

If you'd like to win a signed copy of Guyaholic (one of my favorites), please leave a comment below. Drawing will take place on Friday, August 20, 2010.
Open to anyone in the world!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Holly Cupala's Tell Me A Secret Trailer Contest
Party Prizes! Here’s what people can win:
Signed TMAS books!
TMAS t-shirts!
Fan-made bracelets by Hannah S!
Music that inspired the book!
Sneak Previews!
Bookmarks and Handmade Magnets!
and...
A Tell Me a Secret handmade necklace!
[I attached a graphic of the necklace, etc. to include if you want]
HOW TO WIN? Share the Trailer Love!
- Click here to go to YouTube, then click the Share button to send to your Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, or blog! 5 pts each
- Click here to tell us where you posted and enter to win!
Plus Holly will be featured at readergirlz for the entire month of August, with a live Twitter chat coming up! Hope you enjoy the trailer, and thank you so much for being part of the virtual tour and party!